, according to the latest report from Evan Sidery, a well-known reporter from Forbes Sports, the Los Angeles Lakers are actively using various reinforcement resources in the offseason and have offered 39-year-old veteran Al Horford a two-year special contract worth $5 million. Legion Hoops also followed up on the news and confirmed that the contract amount is basically equivalent to the starting salary cap of the two-year special in the 2025-26 season.

It is worth noting that just one day before, ESPN reporter Shams Charania revealed that the Lakers had just signed former Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton with a full mid-level exception for two years, with a total value of $ 16.6 million. Signing two inside players in just two days shows how much the Lakers value the depth of their inside line in the new season.

Evan Sidery analyzed that the Lakers' move is intended to further improve the lineup structure, especially after having a ball-handling core like Doncic, they are in urgent need of an inside player who can run pick-and-rolls for them and has the ability to run space. Horford fits this role perfectly - he can provide screens and run-and-rolls in pick-and-rolls, and he can also open up space to shoot three-pointers, opening up multiple possibilities for the team's offense.

In addition, Horford is experienced and skilled, and can inject stability and defensive wisdom into the Lakers' bench lineup, which is a rare asset for a team aiming to win the championship.

According to the latest NBA labor agreement, the biennial exception is a special signing method that each team can only use once in two years. The starting salary cap for the 2025-26 season is $ 5.13 million, and the maximum contract period is two years. This type of exception can still be used without breaking the hard salary cap, which is more flexible and suitable for signing veterans or role players.

Horford played for the Boston Celtics in the 2024-25 season, played 60 regular season games, averaged 27.7 minutes per game, contributed 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.9 blocks, shot 42.3% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range , still showing a certain degree of efficiency and value. Although he is getting older, his basketball IQ and tactical execution are still competitive in the league.

Horford has not yet responded to the offer, but if he accepts the offer and joins the Lakers, he will partner with Ayton to build a combination of offense and defense. Combined with Doncic's organization and the Lakers' already good outside lineup, the Lakers' lineup in the new season will be more balanced, with greater tactical flexibility and depth.

The Lakers' new management's series of operations during the offseason showed a clear goal orientation, especially in the strategy of building the team around Doncic, taking into account both combat effectiveness and space allocation. Whether they can successfully persuade Horford to join will be the key to determining the value of this two-year exception.